Adjustable golf putter for left and right hand use

ABSTRACT

A golf club comprising: (a) a head having a face configured to make contact with a golf ball; (b) an extended portion extending from the head free of obstructing the face; and (c) a hosel movably secured to the head, wherein the hosel is configured to rotate relative to the head, or vice versa; wherein the rotation of the hosel relative to the head, or vice versa, changes the golf club between a left-handed position and a right-handed position.

FIELD

The present teachings generally relate to a golf club, and moreparticularly, to an adjustable putter accommodating both left- andright-handed users.

BACKGROUND

Golf club customization has become a critical aspect of the golfindustry. Each individual golfer may have a different swing, stroke,height, form, or a combination thereof. As a result, a standard set ofgolf clubs may not properly “fit” different golfers, thereby resultingin decreased performance and inaccurate contact with the golf ball.

To combat the aforementioned issues, modern golf clubs may be fitted tomatch an individual golfer's body, strength, swing stroke, swing path,mobility, posture, or a combination thereof. However, such customfittings may be extremely expensive and often times a golfer'sparameters, such as body shape, strength, swing stroke and/or path,mobility, posture, or a combination thereof may change over time. As aresult, the custom fitted golf clubs may over time no longer be anappropriate fit for the golf, thereby rendering the expensive fittingobsolete.

Similarly, a standard and/or custom fitted golf club may besubstantially limited in adjustability. For example, often times a golfclub is assembled in a single, permanent position and prevents a golferfrom making any easy modifications without substantial disassembly.Moreover, such substantial disassembly may not be possible by an averagegolfer and often times requires special tooling. As a result, the golfermay still be required to go to a golf fitting facility to have changescompleted, thereby requiring additional unnecessary expense.

To help improve customization of golf clubs, more modern clubmanufacturers have developed incremental changes that may be done by thegolfer free of any special equipment or expert golf techs. For example,weights along a portion of the club head may be adjustable toaccommodate for side spin of a golf ball due to a golfer's swing.However, these weights are often limited in size and weighting and oftenhave minimal impact on the golfer's performance when using the club.Moreover, such customization may still be very limited and providegolfer's very little performance change. Even further, more moderncustomization may often times be limited to specific golf club types,such as drivers and woods, thereby restricting a golfer's ability formodification even more.

Based on the above, there remains a need for a customizable golf club.What is needed is a golf club accommodating various golfers, such asright-handed and left-handed players. Moreover, there remains a need foradjustable golf clubs that conventionally restrict any tuning. What isneeded is a putter having one or more adjustable components.Furthermore, there remains a need for an improved golf club design toaccommodate golfers with different swing mechanics. What is needed is agolf club having one or more design features that limit inaccurate clubface contact with a golf ball.

SUMMARY

The present teachings meet one or more of the present needs byproviding: a golf club comprising: (a) a head having a face configuredto make contact with a golf ball; (b) an extended portion extending fromthe head free of obstructing the face; and (c) a hosel movably securedto the head, wherein the hosel is configured to rotate relative to thehead, or vice versa; wherein the rotation of the hosel relative to thehead, or vice versa, changes the golf club between a left-handedposition and a right-handed position.

A dowel may extend between the head and the hosel, and the hosel, thehead, or both may rotate about an axis of the dowel. The dowel may alsobe located along a center axis of the face of the head. Moreover, theextended portion may include a pair of opposing runners positioned alongopposing sides of the extended portion. Furthermore, the hosel may befixedly secured to the head when in the left-handed position or theright-handed position by a single fastener extending through a hole ofthe hosel into the head. The fastener may extend through a first holewhile in the left-handed position and through a second hole while in theright-handed position.

The golf club may further comprise a plurality of through-holes locatedalong the face and extending through the head. The plurality ofthrough-holes may be a first set of through-holes located near a toe ofthe head and a second set of through-holes located near a heel of thehead. Moreover, the central portion of the face near the center axis ofthe face may be free of through-holes. Additionally, the face mayfurther include a cutaway extending to a sole of the head. An angle ofthe cutaway may be approximately 2 degrees relative to the face.Furthermore, the hosel may abut a crown of the head. The hosel may beconfigured to rotate and move axially relative to the head, or viceversa.

The present teachings may also provide a golf club further comprisingone or more removable and/or adjustable weights secured to the head. Theone or more weights may be attached to the head via one or morefasteners, and the one or more weights may abut a back surface of thehead that opposes the face. The one or more weights may be positionedbetween the runners of the extended portion.

Additionally, the golf club may further comprise a shaft secured withina hole of the hosel. The shaft and the sole of the head may form anangle of approximately 18 degrees. The angle may be dictated by an angleof the hole within the hosel that receives the shaft. Moreover, the golfclub may be a putter and/or the head may be monolithically formed.Similarly, the head may be machined from a single piece of material, maybe die cast from one or more materials, may be molded from one or morematerials, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the extended portionmay be configured to receive the golf ball and aid in picking up thegolf ball from the ground.

Moreover, the present teachings provide: a customizable golf club; agolf club accommodating various golfers, such as right-handed andleft-handed players; adjustable golf clubs that conventionally restrictany tuning; a putter having one or more adjustable components; animproved golf club design to accommodate golfers with different swingmechanics; a golf club having one or more design features that limitinaccurate club face contact with a golf ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top-down view of a golf club in accordance with the presentteachings.

FIG. 2 is a front face view of a golf club in accordance with thepresent teachings.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a golf club in accordance with the presentteachings.

FIG. 4 is perspective view of a golf club in accordance with the presentteachings.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a golf club in accordance with the presentteachings.

FIG. 6 is a front face view of a golf club in accordance with thepresent teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended toacquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles,and its practical application. Those skilled in the art may adapt andapply the teachings in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to therequirements of a particular use. Accordingly, the specific embodimentsof the present teachings as set forth are not intended as beingexhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachingsshould, therefore, be determined not with reference to the abovedescription, but should instead be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references,including patent applications and publications, are incorporated byreference in their entirety for all purposes. Other combinations arealso possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which arealso hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

The present teachings generally relate to a golf club. The golf club maybe any type of golf club used to contact a golf ball, such as an iron,wood (e.g., a driver), putter, wedge, or a combination thereof.Additionally, the golf club may be a training aid not conventionallyused on a golf course and/or to contact a golf ball. It should be notedthat while the specification may focus primarily on a putter design,various features and or aspects of the putter design may be implementedin other golf club designs, such as an iron, wood, wedge, or combinationthereof. Therefore, the present teachings may beneficially providecustomization and/or improvement of many types of golf clubs.

The golf club may include a head. The head may be configured to contacta golf ball. For example, a club face of the head may be a surfacedesigned to effectively contact the golf ball and ensure consistentresults based on such contact. The head may include a club face, a sole(i.e., lower surface that may contact the ground), a crown (i.e., anupper surface that opposed the sole), a toe (i.e., a surface or portionof the head furthest away from the golfer during use), a heel (i.e., asurface or portion of the head closed to the golfer during use), or acombination thereof. As such, it may be gleaned from the presentteachings that the head may be formed by one or more of the aboveportions and the above portions may dictate a shape of the head. Forexample, the face my be a substantially planar surface when compared toa backside of the head, the crown, the toe, the heel, the sole, or acombination thereof.

The head may be machined using a variety of techniques. However, it isenvisioned that the head may be monolithically formed from a singlepiece of material. For example, the head may be machined from a block ofmaterial. Advantageously, the machining may limit the number ofcomponents, simplify assembly and/or manufacturing, improve performanceof the golf club due to limited assembly joints, or a combinationthereof. Moreover, the machining may help to minimize manufacturingcosts due to the above advantages.

The face of the head may be configured to primarily contact a golf ball.As a result, the face may be designed to optimize a resulting movementof the golf ball after contact. To optimize the face, machining maybeneficially provide a beveled surface along the face. The beveledsurface may help ensure a top roll (i.e., rolling in a direction awayfrom the face) by consistently making contact with the golf ball in anupper direction. Thus, the golf ball may consistently roll toward adesired target after contact with the face.

Similarly, the face may include a cutaway portion along an edge joiningthe face to the sole of the head. The cutaway may be configured todecrease or substantially prevent contact between the sole of the headand the ground during a backswing, a follow-through, or both. As such,the cutaway may beneficially aid in the face of the head makingconsistent contact with a golf ball directionally, speed-wise, or both.The cutaway may create an angle of about 1 degree or more, about 1.5degrees or more, or about 2 degrees or more relative to the sole of thehead. The cutaway may create an angle of about 5 degrees or less, about4 degrees or less, or about 3 degrees or less relative to the sole ofthe head.

The head may also include an extended portion. The extended portion mayextend from a main body of the head in a direction that opposes theface. The extended portion may extend in any direction from the head.However, it is contemplated that the extended portion may extend fromthe head in a direction free of contact with the golf ball when the golfclub (i.e., the face) makes contact with the golf ball.

The extended portion may be defined by one or more runners extendingalong one or more edges of the extended portion. The runners may beintegrally formed with the extended portion and the remaining portion ofthe head—such as a main body—to connect the extended portion to the restof the head. The runners may define outer terminal edges of the extendedportion. The runners may extend an entire length of the extended portionor may extended on a portion of the length. The runners maysubstantially define a width of the extended portion—that is, a distancemeasured between the runners along a line substantially parallel to aline extending between the heel and the toe of the head.

The extended portion and runners may function to pick up a golf ball. Agolfer may extend the extended portion underneath the golf ball or rollthe golf ball into the extended portion, thereby allowing the golfer topick up the golf ball from the head and not need to bend overcompletely. As such, the extended portion may include a lip, chamferededge, ramp, or a combination thereof to facilitate easy entry of thegolf ball onto the extended portion. Beneficially, the runners may helpcontain the golf ball on the extended portion and prevent the golf ballfrom rolling off during a pick-up motion.

The golf club may be configured for right-handed golfers, left-handedgolfers, or both. As described below, the golf club may beneficiallyprovide one or more adjustments to accommodate left- or right-handedgolfers. More specifically, the golf club may include a rotatable headrelative to a hosel of the golf club. The hosel may act as anintermediary connector between the head and a club shaft so that thehosel may substantially maintain an angle of the shaft while the head isrotated between a left-handed position and a right-handed position, orvice versa. The hosel may maintain any desired angle of the shaft basedupon a hole of the hosel that receives the shaft. The hole may create anangle of about 10 degrees or more, about 15 degrees or more, or about 20degrees or more between a centerline or center axis of the shaft and thesole of the head. The hole may create an angle of about 35 degrees orless, about 30 degrees or less, or about 25 degrees or less between thecenterline or center axis of the shaft and the sole of the head. Forexample, the angle may be 18 degrees based upon determine the optimalshaft angle relative to the club head to ensure the golf ball iscentrally contacting the face of the head.

To provide for adjustable handedness of the golf club, the hosel mayrotate counterclockwise, clockwise, or both relative to the head.Additionally, it should be noted that the head may also rotate relativeto the hosel in a similar manner. The rotation may be done incrementallyor freely between a right-handed position and a left-handed position.Similarly, it is envisioned that there may be one or more incrementalpositions between the right-handed position and the left-handed positionif desired. During rotation, the head and the hosel may be movablyconnected to prevent complete disconnection of the head and the hosel.

To facilitate such movable connection, a dowel may extend between thehead and the hosel to allow the dowel to rotate about an axis of thedowel and/or the head to rotate about the axis of the dowel. Thus, thedowel may be fixed to hosel and/or the head to prevent movement of thedowel. As such, the dowel may beneficially allow rotation of the headand/or the hosel yet prevent lateral and/or vertical movement of thehead, the hosel, or both. For example, the dowel may extend betweenholes of the hosel and head and the dowel may be fixedly secured ineither the hole of the hosel or the hole of the head. Thus, the hosel orthe head may move away from the head or the hosel, respectively, toallow for proper rotation. Once positioned in the desired location, afastener may be secured within mating holes between the hosel and thehead to maintain the position. Thus, it may be gleaned from the presentteachings that the handedness of the club may be changed by efficientlyrotating the hosel and/or the head and secure the hosel and the headtogether via a fastener. Furthermore, it should be noted that theconnection between the head and the hosel may ensure the shaft extendinginto the hosel is centrally located along the head so that thecenterline of the shaft extends towards a centerline of the face wherethe face may contact the golf ball, thereby maintaining consistent andaccurate putting results.

To further improve performance of the golf club, the face may includeone or more through-holes. The through-holes may function to lighten theclub head. The through-holes may function to allow airflow dynamicallythrough the through-holes during a golf swing, thereby decreasing dragof the head due to air. As such, the through-holes may beneficially helpa golfer maintain a square face to the golf ball during a swing andduring contact with the golf ball.

The through-holes may extend through an entire thickness of the clubhead or only a portion of the thickness. The through-holes may bepositioned anywhere along the club head. However, it is envisioned thatthe through-holes may be located near the toe and/or heel of the head tomaintain a proper weight balance and ensure the face remainssubstantially unobstructed where contact is made with the golf ball.

The golf club may also include adjustable weight. The weight mayfunction to increase or decrease the weight of the club head based on agolfer's preference. As such, the weight may be easily attached and/orremoved from the club head incrementally to provide further tunability.Thus, it is envisioned that a single weight or a plurality of weightsmay be attached to the head. The weights may be numerically numbered byactual weight or another incremental identifier. The weights may bemounted to any portion of the head via one or more fasteners, mechanicalinterlocks, adhesives, or a combination thereof. However, it iscontemplated that the weights may be located along a portion of the headfree of obstruction of the face, thereby ensure consistent contact ofthe face with the golf ball. For example, the weights may be locatedalong the crown, a backside that opposes the face, the toe, the heel, ora combination thereof. It should be noted that the weights may be placedalong a centerline or central portion of the head to maintain a weightedbalance of the head.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a top-down of a golf club10 in accordance with the present teachings. While the golf club 10shown in FIG. 1 portrays a putter, it should be noted that the presentteachings may generally relate to any golf club 10. For example, thegolf club 10 may be a putter, an iron, a wedge, a wood (e.g., a driver),a training aid, or a combination thereof. Thus, it is envisioned thatthe teachings herein may pertain to any golf club that may accommodateleft- and right-hand use.

As shown in FIG. 1, the golf club 10 may include a head 12. The head 12may include an outer contour substantially formed by an upper crown 18and an opposing sole (not shown) extending between a heel 20 and a toe22 of the head 12. The outer contour may include a face 14 configured tocontact a golf ball or other training object. The head 12 may alsoinclude an extended portion 26 extending away from crown 18 in adirection opposing the face 14. As such, the extended portion 26 is freeof obstructing the face 14 to ensure the face 14 may make clean contactwith the golf ball. Additionally, the extended portion 26 may be atleast partially confined between opposing runner 24 that at leastpartially extend along opposing outer edges of the extended portion 26.

The golf club 10 may also include a hosel 30 configured to secure ashaft of the golf club (not shown; see FIG. 2). The hosel 30 may bepositioned along the crown 18 of the head 12. Beneficially, the hosel 30may be movably secured to the head 12, thereby allowing for movement ofthe hosel 30 relative to the head 12. The movement may be rotationalmovement relative to the head 12, the shaft, or both. The movement mayalso be lateral and/or vertical movement relative to the head 12. Assuch, the hosel 30 may allow for substantially free movement of thehosel 30 relative to the head 12 or other components of the golf club10. However, it should be noted that the hosel 30 and head 12 remainmovably connected to one another—that is, the hosel 30 is not entirelydisconnected and removable from the head 12 of the golf club 10.

To maintain such a movable connection, the hosel 30 and the head 12 mayin communication via a dowel 32 extending between the hosel 30 and thehead 12. The dowel 32 may be movably secured to the hosel 30, the head12, or both. However, the dowel 32 may also be fixedly secured to thehosel 30 or the head 12 to maintain a position of the dowel 32. Forexample, it is envisioned that the dowel 32 may be fixedly securedwithin a borehole of the head 12 and may extend into a hole of the hosel30. Thus, the hosel 30 may axially and/or rotationally move relative tothe dowel 32 while still remaining movably connected to the head 12 byat least partially preventing lateral movement of the hosel 30 due tothe positioning of the dowel 32.

Beneficially, the movement of the hosel 30 may provide a user theability to change the handedness of the golf club 10. That is, a usermay move the hosel 30 to accommodate both a left- and right-handed userbased on an efficient adjustment, all while maintaining connection ofthe components of the golf club 10. For example, the hosel 30 may rotatein a direction (R) so that the face 14 is rotated relative to a shaft ofthe golf club 10. The shaft may create an angle with the head 12, and assuch, the head 12 may be rotated to create a mirrored position. Thus,the head 12 and the shaft may maintain the desired angle while beingeither in a left- or right-handed position.

To facilitate both left-handed golfers and right-handed golfers, thedowel may be positioned centrally along both the hosel 30 and the head12 so that the hosel 30 is secured substantially along the center axis(A) of the head 12 (and thus the face 14). Thus, the center axis (A) maybe extended substantially through a midpoint between the toe 20 and theheel 22. After the hosel 30 is rotated between positions (i.e.,left-handed versus right-handed), the hosel 30 may then be secured tothe head 12 by a fastener extending into a hole 40 extending throughboth the hosel 30 and the head 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the hosel 30and/or the head 12 may include more than one hole 40 to secure the hosel30 and head 12 depending on the positioning of the hosel 30 relative tothe head 12.

Advantageously, the golf club 10 may be further customizable with anadjustable weight 36 attached to the head 12. While the weight 36 isshown secured to a rear side of the head 12 (i.e., a side of the head 12opposing the face 14), it is envisioned that the weight 36 may bepositionable anywhere along the head 12. For example, the weight 36 maybe positionable near the heel 20 or the toe 22 to further customize theweighting of the golf club 10. Additionally, the weight 36 may be aplurality of weights 36 to incrementally adjust the weighting of thegolf club 10. To attach the weight 36, a plurality of fasteners (notshown) may be inserted into the holes 40 of the weight that align withone or more holes in the head 12. As shown, the weight 36 may bepositioned centrally to align with the center axis (A) of the face 14,whereby the center axis (A) may also extend through an axis of the dowel32. As a result, the weight 36 may be equally distributed along the head12—and thus the face 14—thereby providing a balanced feel during a golfswing about the center axis (A). Moreover, it should be noted that theweight 36 may not only be centrally positioned along the center axis(A), but also centrally positioned between the crown 18 and the sole(not shown).

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a golf club 10 in accordance with thepresent teachings. As described above, the golf club 10 may include ahead 12. An upper surface of the head 12 may be the crown 18, while anopposing sole 16 of the head 12 may be a bottom surface configured tocontact the ground during setup and/or during a golf swing. A width ofthe head 12 may be substantially defined as a distance between a heel 20of the head 12 and an opposing toe 22.

As shown, the head 12 may include a front face 14 configured to contacta golf ball unobstructed by one or more additional components of thegolf club 12. To facilitate more accurate contact between the face 14and a golf ball (not shown), the face may include one or morethrough-holes 34. The through-holes 34 may be located near the toe 22,the heel 20, or both, or may be located anywhere therebetween. However,it is envisioned that an area of the face 14 near the center axis (A) ofthe face 14 may be free to through-holes 34 to ensure proper contact ofthe face 14 with a ball. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the face 14may include a pair of through-holes 34 positioned near both the toe 22and the heel 20 while the central portion of the face 14 remainssubstantially planar free of any holes. The through-holes 34 may extendthrough an entire thickness of the head 12 to promote airflow throughthe putter and further improve a putting stroke of a user. However, thethrough-holes 34 may also extend on a portion of the way through athickness of the head 12 if desired.

The golf club 10 may include a hosel 30 abutting the crown 18 of theclub head 12. As discussed above, the hosel 30 may be substantiallymoveable relative to the head 12 while still maintaining connection. Assuch, the hosel 30 may be rotated about the dowel 32 extending throughthe head 12 and the hosel 30 to adjust the handedness of the golf club12. As illustrated, the dowel may be positioned substantially along thecenter axis (A) of the face 14 to ensure proper alignment between anaxis of a shaft (AS) and the center axis (A) of the face 14—that is, theshaft 28 may be substantially positioned along the center axis (A) ofthe face 14.

Additionally, the shaft 28 may form an angle (α) with the sole 16 of thehead 12. While any angle may be possible, it is envisioned that theangle may be about 10 degrees or more, about 15 degrees or more, orabout 20 degrees or more. The angle may be about 45 degrees or less,about 30 degrees or less, or about 25 degrees or less. For example, theangle between the center axis of the shaft (AS) and the sole 16 may beapproximately 18 degrees. Furthermore, this angle may be dictated by anangle of receiving hole within the hosel 30 that receives the shaft 28(not shown).

Beneficially, the shaft 28 may also be adjustable and/or replaceable toprovide a golfer further customization. For example, the shaft 28 may beswapped out for one or more additional shafts to customize shaft angle,shaft flex, weight, length, a grip on the shaft 28, aesthetics of theshaft 28, or a combination thereof. As such, the shaft 28 may maintain amovable connection with the hosel 30 and/or the head 12 yet may alsoallow a golfer to completely disconnect the shaft 28 for replacement,swapping out, or both.

When the hosel 30 is rotated relative to the head 12, or vice versa, thegolf club 10 may be configured for a left-handed or right-handed golfer.To secure such a position of the hosel 30 relative to the club 12, oneor more fasteners 42 may be extend through holes 42 within the hosel 30and into the head 12, thereby advantageously allowing a golfer to adjustthe handedness of the golf club 10 efficiently and quickly.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a golf club 10 in accordance with thepresent teachings. As described above, the golf club 10 may include ahead 12 having an outer contour at least partially defined by an uppercrown 18 and an opposing sole 16 extending between a heel and a toe ofthe head 12 (see, e.g., FIG. 2). The golf club 10 as shown in FIG. 3 isa perspective view looking towards either the toe, the heel, or both. Itis envisioned that the present teachings may beneficially provide a golfclub 10 configurable with one or more heads 12. As such, the golf club10 may be further customizable by providing a means for a golfer toswitch the head 12 for various sizes, shapes, dimensions, or acombination thereof. Moreover, the switchable head 12 may also providefurther means of customizing the golf club 10, such as one or more angleadjustments.

As shown, the head 12 includes an extended portion 26 extending awayfrom a central body of the head 12 in an opposing direction from a face14 of the head. The extended portion 26 may also include one or morerunners 24 extending at least partially along a distance of the extendedportion 26 away from the toe, the heel, the crown 18, the face 14, or acombination thereof.

To improve performance of the golf club 10, the head 12 may include oneor more through-holes 34 extending through the head 12 to allow forairflow through portions of the head 12, lighten the head 12, or both.While the through-holes 34 may be positioned anywhere along the head 12,it is envisioned that the through-holes 34 may be particularlybeneficially near the toe and/or the heel of the head 12 to maintain aconsistent swing of the golf club 10 by a user and to help ensure squarecontact with a golf ball. Additionally, to even further improveperformance and customization of the golf club 10, a weight 36 may bepositioned along a cavity or backside of the head 12 (i.e., a surfacesubstantially opposing the face 14). The weight 36 may be adjustableand/or removable via inserting and/or removing a fastener 42 from a hole40 extending through the weight 36 and into the head 12. As discussedabove, the weight 36 may be a single weight 36 or may be a plurality ofweights. Additionally, it is envisioned that the weight 36 may bepositioned substantially centrally along the head 12 (e.g., close to oralong a center axis; see FIG. 1). As such, the weight 36 may helpmaintain a consistent golf stroke while also providing a weightcustomization element to the golf club 10. For example, the weight 36may be located between the runners 24 and may abut the back surface ofthe head 12.

The face 14 of the head 12 may also include a contoured surface in oneor more locations. However, it may be beneficial to maintain aconsistent contour substantially throughout the entire face 14 to ensureconsistent contact with a golf ball. For example, the face 14 mayinclude a cutaway 38 along a portion of the face 14 that extends towardsthe sole 16 of the head 12. As a result, the cutaway 38 may helpmaintain a consistent golf stroke by substantially preventing contact ofthe sole 16 or the extended portion 26 with the ground prior to the face14 contacting the golf ball. The cutaway 38 may be about 0° or more,about 1° or more, or about 2° or more relative to the face 14 of thehead 12. The cutaway 38 may be about 5° or less, about 4°, or about 3°or less relative to the face 14 of the head 12.

Additionally, it should be noted that while the head 12 is illustratedas being monolithically formed, such as by a single piece of materialbeing machined, it may be possible to include one or more additionalpieces to form the head 12. For example, the head 12 may include a faceplate that attached to the face 14 to provide a contact surface for thegolf club 10 to contact the golf ball. Moreover, the head 12 may beformed using one or more additional techniques and one or moreadditional materials, such as by molding and/or die casting of the head12.

As described above the golf club 10 may be configured for eitherleft-handed or right-handed golfers by rotating a hosel 30 relative tothe head 12, or vice versa along a central dowel 32. While it isenvisioned that the golf club 10 may include a left-handed position anda right-handed position for the hosel 30 and/or the head 12, the golfclub 10 may also include any number of intermediate positionstherebetween. Additionally, it should be noted that the hosel 30 and/orthe head 12 may rotated clockwise, counterclockwise, or both relative toeach other to reach a desired position.

To adjust the golf club 10 between a left-handed position and aright-handed position, a user may rotate the head 12 and/or the hosel 30along the dowel 32 by removing a fastener 42 from hosel 30 that extendsinto the head 12 and secures the head 12 to the hosel 30. Once thedesired position has been reached, a user may then simply insert thefastener 42 back into a hole of the hosel (see FIG. 2) until thefastener 42 fully engages the head 12 and secures the hosel 30 to thehead 12, thereby preparing the golf club 10 for use.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view a golf club 10 in accordance withthe present teachings. The golf club 10 may include a head 12 secured toa shaft (not shown). The head may include a face 14 adapted to contact agolf ball during a golf swing. To improve aerodynamics and potentialdrag of the head 12 during a swinging motion that may cause unintendedtwisting of the head 12, a pair of opposing through-holes 34 may extendfrom the face 14 through the head 12. The through-holes 34 may extendthrough runners 24 of the head 12 that also extend from the face 14,whereby an extended portion 26 configured to pick up a golf ballconnects the two runners 24.

As discussed above, the golf club 10 may include a hosel 30 thatfacilitates modification of the golf club 10 to allow for bothright-handed and left-handed use. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4, thehosel 30 may be secured to the head 12 in an even further customizablemanner. That is, the hosel 30 may be adapted to slide along a surface ofthe head 12 in a direction (D). In doing, so a shaft (not shown) securedwithin a shaft hole 44 may be positioned in one or more differentlocations along the head 12. For example, the hosel 30 may adjust toallow the club shaft to align substantially with a midpoint (i.e.,center) of the head 12 for an evenly balanced swinging motion.Similarly, the hosel 30 may further adjust in the direction (D) toadditional offset positions to allow for a non-centered mountinglocation. Once a desired location is selected, a fastener may be securedwithin a hole 40 of the hosel 30 and extend into the head 12, therebysecuring the hosel 40 in position relative to the head 12.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a golf club 10 in accordance with thepresent teachings. As discussed above, the golf club 10 may include ahead 12 secured to a shaft (not shown) via a hosel 30 positionedtherebetween. The head 12 may include a face 14 adapted to contact agolf ball during a swing while a sole 16 of the head 12 glide along theground (e.g., contact or is positioned adjacent to the ground). Duringsuch motion, runners 24 extending from head 12 and connected by anextended portion 26 (see FIG. 4) may help balance the golf club 10 toensure square contact with a golf ball.

Additionally, the hosel 30 may be adapted to move or slide along a crown18 of the head 12 to provide a plurality of mounting locations of thehosel 30. To facilitate such movement, the hosel 30 may include aretainer key 46 that is positioned within a retainer 48 of the head 12.The retainer 48 may be a track or channel the receives the retainer key46 and guides the hosel 30 within the retainer 48. However, it isenvisioned that the retainer 48 and retainer key 46 interaction may beany keying engagement that allows for sliding movement of the hosel 30relative to the head 12, or vice versa. Yet it should be noted that suchkeying may exist to ensure proper alignment between the hosel 30 and thehead 12.

Once a position is selected along the head 12, a fastener 42 may extendinto a hole 40 of the hosel 30. The hole 40 may be aligned with one of aplurality of alignment holes 50 so that the fastener 42 extends throughthe hole 40 in the hosel 30 and into the alignment hole 50. As a result,the hosel 30 may be secured to the head 12 for use in a variety ofdesignated locations. Thus, a shaft (not shown) secured in a shaft hole44 of hosel may be positioned in a desired location relative to the head12.

Moreover, it is envisioned that the head 12 of the golf club 10 may beconfigured to squarely engage a golf ball for the most effective andconsistent golf stroke. To do so, the face 14 of the head 12 may form anangle (β) relative to a vertical line (i.e., a line orthogonal to theground). The angle (β) may be about 1° or more, about 2° or more, orabout 3° or more. The angle (β) may be about 6° or less, about 5° orless, or about 4° or less. As such, the face 14 may be more adapted tosquarely contact the golf ball upon impact. Additionally, to furtherfacilitate the contact between the face 14 and the golf ball, the crown18 of the head 12 may also be angled relative to a horizontal line(i.e., a line substantially parallel to the ground) to form an angle(δ). The angle (δ) may be about 1° or more, about 2° or more, or about3° or more. The angle (δ) may be about 6° or less, about 5° or less, orabout 4° or less. Therefore, the angle (δ) may ensure square contact ofthe face 14 based upon angle (β) due to the hosel 30 and/or shaft beingpositioned substantially parallel to the face 14.

Similarly, the sole 16 of the head 12 may include curvature that extendsaway from a horizontal line (i.e., the ground). As a result, all or aportion of the sole 16 may form an angle (γ) with the ground of about 2°or more, about 4° or more, or about 6° or more. The angle (γ) may beabout 10° or less, about 8° or less, or about 6° or less. Thus, drag orcontact with the ground may be minimized to ensure a consistent swingand velocity when contacting the golf ball.

Based on the above, it should be noted that various surfaces of the head12 may be machined or otherwise modified to maintain a consistedposition of the head 12 relative to a golf ball. As such, one or morecurves, one or more undulations, one or more cutouts, one or moresurface modifications (e.g., smoothing, sanding, grinding, coating,etc.), or a combination thereof may be implemented to further optimizethe head 12 of the golf club 10. Thus, it should be noted that the shapeof the head 12 as described herein is not intended to be limiting toother shapes envisioned with the features described above.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front face view of a golf club 10 in accordancewith the present teachings. The golf club 10 includes a shaft 28 securedin a shaft hole 44 of a hosel 30. The hosel 30 is secured along a head12 of the golf club 10 to position the shaft 28 in a desired positionrelative to the head 12. Advantageously, as described above, the hosel30 may include a retainer key 46 that is received by a retainer 48 ofthe head 12. As a result, the hosel 30 may align with the head 12 andslide along the head 12 in a direction (D) so that a hole 40 of thehosel 30 may align with one of a plurality of alignment holes 50 in thehead 12. Thus, the hosel 30 may be secured in a plurality of locationsalong the head 12 by securing a fastener 42 through the hole 40 and intothe alignment hole 50. Thus, a user may select a preferred alignment tocontact a golf ball more comfortably with a face 14 of the club 12during a swing.

ELEMENT LIST

-   -   10 Golf Club    -   12 Head    -   14 Face    -   16 Sole    -   18 Crown    -   20 Heel    -   22 Toe    -   24 Runner    -   26 Extended Portion    -   28 Shaft    -   30 Hosel    -   32 Dowel    -   34 Through-holes    -   36 Weight    -   38 Cutaway    -   40 Hole    -   42 Fastener    -   44 Shaft Hole    -   46 Retainer Key    -   48 Retainer    -   50 Alignment Hole    -   α Angle of Sole to Shaft    -   β Angle of Face    -   γ Angle of Sole to Ground    -   δ Angle of the Crown    -   A Center Axis of the Face    -   AS Center Axis of the Shaft    -   R Rotation Direction of the Hosel    -   S Slide Direction of the Hosel

Any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lowervalue to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that thereis a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and anyhigher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of acomponent or a value of a process variable such as, for example,temperature, pressure, time, and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90,preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intendedthat values such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc. areexpressly enumerated in this specification. For values which are lessthan one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 asappropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intendedand all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowestvalue and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to beexpressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and allnumbers between the endpoints. The use of “about” or “approximately” inconnection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30”, inclusive of atleast the specified endpoints.

The disclosures of all articles and references, including patentapplications and publications, are incorporated by reference in theirentirety for all purposes. The term “consisting essentially of” todescribe a combination shall include the elements, ingredients,components or steps identified, and such other elements, ingredients,components or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristics of the combination. The use of the terms “comprising” or“including” to describe combinations of elements, ingredients,components or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consistessentially of the elements, ingredients, components or steps. By use ofthe term “may” herein, it is intended that any described attributes that“may” be included are optional.

Unless otherwise stated, a teaching with the term “about” or“approximately” in combination with a numerical amount encompasses ateaching of the recited amount, as well as approximations of thatrecited amount. By way of example, a teaching of “about 100” encompassesa teaching of 100+/−15.

Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by asingle integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively,a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might bedivided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps.The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient,component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements,ingredients, components or steps.

It is understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as manyapplications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those ofskill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of theteachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to theabove description, but should instead be determined with reference tothe appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to whichsuch claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles andreferences, including patent applications and publications, areincorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Theomission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that isdisclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor shouldit be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matterto be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf club comprising: (a) a head having a faceconfigured to make contact with a golf ball; (b) an extended portionextending from the head free of obstructing the face; and (c) a hoselmovably secured to the head, wherein the hosel is configured to rotaterelative to the head, or vice versa; wherein the rotation of the hoselrelative to the head, or vice versa, changes the golf club between aleft-handed position and a right-handed position.
 2. The golf club ofclaim 1, wherein a dowel extends between the head and the hosel, and thehosel, the head, or both rotate about an axis of the dowel.
 3. The golfclub of claim 2, wherein the dowel located along a center axis of theface of the head.
 4. The golf club of claim 3, wherein the extendedportion includes a pair of opposing runners positioned along opposingsides of the extended portion.
 5. The golf club of claim 4, wherein thehosel is fixedly secured to the head when in the left-handed position orthe right-handed position by a single fastener extending through a holeof the hosel into the head.
 6. The golf club of claim 5, wherein thefastener extends through a first hole while in the left-handed positionand through a second hole while in the right-handed position.
 7. Thegolf club of claim 6, wherein the golf club includes a plurality ofthrough-holes located along the face and extending through the head. 8.The golf club of claim 7, wherein the plurality of through-holes is afirst set of through-holes located near a toe of the head and a secondset of through-holes located near a heel of the head.
 9. The golf clubof claim 7, wherein a central portion of the face near the center axisof the face is free of the through-holes.
 10. The golf club of claim 1,wherein the face includes a cutaway extending to a sole of the head. 11.The golf club of claim 10, wherein an angle of the cutaway isapproximately 2 degrees relative to the face.
 12. The golf club of claim11, wherein the hosel abuts a crown of the head.
 13. The golf club ofclaim 12, wherein the hosel is configured to rotate and move axiallyrelative to the head, or vice versa.
 14. The golf club of claim 13,wherein the golf club includes one or more removable and/or adjustableweights secured to the head.
 15. The golf club of claim 14, wherein theone or more weights are attached to the head via one or more fasteners,and the one or more weights abut a back surface of the head that opposesthe face.
 16. The golf club of claim 15, wherein the one or more weightsare positioned between the runners of the extended portion.
 17. The golfclub of claim 15, wherein the golf club includes a shaft secured withina hole of the hosel.
 18. The golf club of claim 17, wherein the shaftand the sole of the head form an angle of approximately 18 degrees. 19.The golf club of claim 18, wherein the angle is dictated by an angle ofthe hole within the hosel that receives the shaft.
 20. The golf club ofclaim 19, wherein the golf club is a putter.